Priyanka returns to Bollywood with Salman's 'Bharat'

Mumbai: After a gap of over two years, actor Priyanka Chopra is all set to come
back to the Indian film industry with Salman Khan's "Bharat".

The
35-year-old actor, who moved to New York for the TV series "Quantico"
and made her Hollywood debut with "Baywatch", will star opposite Salman
in the Ali Abbas Zafar-directed film.

After much speculation over
the leading lady, the makers of "Bharat" have signed on Priyanka.
According to reports, Katrina Kaif was being considered for this film.

The actor, whose last Bollywood outing was "Jai Gangaajal" in
2016, said she was excited to reunite with Salman and director Ali.

"I'm
looking forward to begin shooting this film and working with Salman and
Ali again after a considerable time. I've learnt a lot from them in our
previous collaborations and am excited to see what this one has to
offer.

"I'm also looking forward to working with Alvira and Atul and
the entire team of 'Bharat'.To all my well-wishers who've been so
patient and supportive Thank you for your constant support," Priyanka
said in a statement here.

The actor duo will be teaming up after 10 years, after having
worked in films such as "Mujhse Shaadi Karogi", "Salaam-E-Ishq" and "God
Tussi Great Ho".

Ali, who has directed Priyanka in "Gunday", said the actor was the perfect choice for the female lead in the film.

"'Bharat'
is Priyanka's homecoming to Bollywood after having proven her range as a
performer in Hollywood films and a blockbuster global TV show.

"Priyanka
is the biggest Indian artiste internationally and she is a perfect fit
for the film. Priyanka brings in outstanding acting as well as
incredible international appeal to make the scale of the film bigger and
even more global," he said.

Ali added the love story in "Bharat" is very mature and quite
subtle, and Priyanka's character is "the catalyst at the film's most
important turning point".
"We needed an actor who could portray this in the best possible way.

"Her character is the soul of the film, and throughout, she stands shoulder to shoulder with Salman in the journey," he added.

Ali
and producer Atul Agnihotri travelled to New York to meet Priyanka and
gave her the narration of the film. Priyanka loved Ali's script and she
was immediately convinced to do the film.

Atul, who is collaborating with Priyanka for the first time, is happy to have her on board.
The film is an official adaptation of 2014 Korean film, "Ode to My Father" .

Talking
about the film, Ali said, "'Bharat' is rooted in India and its culture
despite it spanning over 70 years and set across various countries of
the world."

"Bharat" has started its prep in London, after which the director will move to Spain, Poland, Portugal, and Malta.

The
film will see Salman sport five different looks spanning 60 years,
wherein a crucial part will showcase the actor in his late 20s, looking
much leaner and younger. He will be recreating his "Karan Arjun" look.

Produced by Atul Agnihotri's Reel Life Production Pvt. Ltd and Bhushan Kumar's T- series, the film releases during Eid in 2019.
PTI